Postdoc position in Social Care Policy and Outsourcing

The Department of Social Sciences at Roskilde University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher as part of the Carlsberg Foundation Semper Ardens Accelerate project "The Privatisation Paradox: Evaluating Social Services in Denmark," led by Associate Professor Anders Bach-Mortensen. The position is for 2 years, starting from September 1st, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position as postdoc is limited to a period of 2 years. Under special circumstances, the position may be extended with an additional year dedicated to teaching.

The Department of Social Sciences and Business
The Postdoc’s daily workplace will be the Department of Social Sciences and Business (ISE), at Roskilde University. The Department’s research focuses on societal changes, conflict dynamics, business economics and the impact of such developments on different societies around the world. We aim at generating novel scientific insights into the on-going societal changes, confrontations and conflicts. As our teaching is closely related to our research activities it attaches high importance to methodological skills and is characterised by its multidisciplinary nature. Read more about the Department of Social Sciences here.

The position
The postdoc will be part of the research project “The privatisation paradox: evaluating social services in Denmark" funded by the Carlberg Foundation Semper Ardens Accelerate programme and led by Dr Anders Bach-Mortensen. As postdocs you will work closely with the principal investigator and project team, including collaborators at Oxford University and Roskilde University.

The project investigates the impact of outsourcing social services ("sociale tilbud") and residential care ("bosteder") in Denmark. With annual costs of almost 60 billion DKK and around 194,000 social service recipients, this research examines whether outsourcing impacts are driven primarily by provider characteristics or by implementation and regulation. The project combines quantitative analysis of administrative data with qualitative investigation of contracting practices and decision-making processes.

Because the project involves both quantitative and qualitative research, the ideal candidate is methodologically versatile and possesses both quantitative and qualitative research skills. However, the most important evaluation criterion is that the candidate is interested in social care research, and that they can demonstrate that they have relevant research skills and methodological competencies that enable them to make an independent contribution to the project.

Quantitatively, the work could involve constructing harmonised datasets, conducting statistical analyses including panel data analysis and difference-in-difference models, and examining trends in provider openings, closures and quality outcomes. Qualitatively, the work could involve understanding outsourcing decision-making through qualitative methods by conducting in-depth interviews with municipality commissioners and contract managers, and facilitating co-production workshops with stakeholders.

Responsibilities and tasks
The ideal candidate is expected to

• Conduct and contribute to high quality research on social care outsourcing in Denmark;
• Possess advanced skills in either quantitative analysis and/or qualitative research methods
• Support and contribute to data harmonisation and analysis of social service provision in Denmark
• Support and contribute to in-depth interviews with municipality commissioners and contract managers
• Support and contribute to facilitating co-production workshops with stakeholders
• Manage collaborative relationships and coordinate stakeholder engagement
• Manage day-to-day administration of the research project; and
• Contribute ideas for new research projects.

The ideal candidate possesses good communication skills and will be visible and involved in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent within a relevant field (e.g., sociology, social policy, public administration, economics, public policy, social science). Qualifications within the following areas are required:

• Experience with or willingness to learn quantitative research methods and statistical analysis
• Experience and willingness to work with large administrative datasets
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Python, or Stata)
• Experience with or willingness to learn qualitative research methods
• Skills in workshop facilitation and stakeholder engagement
• Strong academic writing skills in English
• The ability to work independently as well as collaborate with other members of the research team

It is advantageous if the candidate has prior knowledge of the social care system (“socialområdet”) in Denmark, and understanding or relevant theories related to outsourcing, contracting out, and privatisation. Danish language proficiency is not required but advantageous.

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidate, consideration will be given to;

• Relevant research experience that enables the candidate to work independently on the topic;
• Ability to demonstrate research skills that are valuable to the topic and project deliverables;
• Scientific production and research prospective,
• Ability to promote and utilize research results,
• Ability to contribute to development of the department’s internal and external cooperation,
• Experience in teaching and education (if the position includes teaching)

Questions
For further information about the postdoc positions, please contact Dr Anders Bach-Mortensen by email: [email protected]

Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to the Dean of Social Sciences Morten Frederiksen.

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/

Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter

2. CV

3. Documentation of education

4. If duties include teaching: Min. two pages reflecting on the applicant’s approach and experience with teaching or alternatively a full teaching portfolio. (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)

5. A complete list of publications

6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment.

If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here)

Please submit your application no later than May 1, 2025.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.